Critical Analysis of Legislation and Management of Ballast Water: A Case Study in the Amazon

Abstract

The Amazon estuary is port of entry and exit of ships from the Maritime Trade International (CMI). This mode of transport is capable of introducing invasive species and export in oceans and coastal areas around the planet. The bioinvasion represents considerable threat to ecosystems and can cause environmental damage, social and economic. To prevent these damages are needed legal instruments and management of ballast water carried by these vessels. The objective was to analyze legal and management concerning national and international ballast water, based on the Ballast Water Management International Convention for Sediment in ships. The methodology consisted of evaluating the adequacy of laws and managerial procedures applied to the case of the Port of Santana (AP). The results indicated a potential for bioinvasion because it’s characteristic importer of ballast water. It was concluded that Amazon presents itself as open border and devoid of managerial devices to prevent or mitigate such risks in these waters, as occurs in the Port of Santana in Amapa. The main hypothesis is that this region has characteristics of considerable ecological vulnerability and public health actions are required and management strategies as the exchange of ballast water.